SMU pursuing Marquette's Buzz Williams

[glick1980]

A swing and a miss with Buzz, but at least SMU is trying. I'd rather they fail pursuing the top candidates than never even try. Even if it does seem absurd for SMU to go for these coaches (and trust me, if I wasn't affiliated with the school I'd be laughing too), all of this is at least tossing the name SMU into the basketball community. A good coach in a hostile environment (be that problems with the AD, fan base, city, w/e) might be interested in trying something new while still being paid really well. We'll see what happens, but I'd prefer if we didn't go for Jones, I'd like to see the Mean Green continuing their climb in basketball. It could lead to some truly fun rivalry games down the line.

I am not sure it portrays very well on SMU when they offer a guy $3.5M when he was making $2M and he says "no thanks".

[eulessismore]

Your analogy actually has more truth than you think seeing as SMU's basketball team will get pounded by large black men.

But not enjoying it so much.

[eulessismore]

I am not sure it portrays very well on SMU when they offer a guy $3.5M when he was making $2M and he says "no thanks".

Maybe it portrays making $2M very well. Suppose he's married to a woman who's happy enough with things the way they are, and he thinks, "what if I get down to Texas, have a job with lots more travel, wife gets unhappy, files for divorce, eating up that $1.5M differential faster than my career winning percentage"? I mean, a guy has to at least run these scenarios mentally, if not in a press release. Yeah, he has ties to this area, but there's reasons people leave home to work elsewhere.

[Comet7745]

I am not sure it portrays very well on SMU when they offer a guy $3.5M when he was making $2M and he says "no thanks".

1. He's making closer to 3 million than 2 (2.6 I think).

2. I don't blame someone for staying at a place where he can win today and tomorrow as opposed to having to completely rebuild a program in arguably the toughest (or second toughest) basketball league. Another million might not be worth the career risk. Either way, according to those in "the know," it was a tough decision. Eulessismore is absolutely right, some reports have indicated that Mrs. Williams and their kids are more than happy where they are.

Edited March 29, 2012 by Comet7745

[SMU2006]

Swing and a miss on Buzz, but that's what happens sometimes when you go elephant hunting in college athletics. Also, I don't see as how this reflects negatively on SMU in any way. If anything it shows that we are ready and willing to make the financial commitment to play with the best in the country. Buzz got what he wanted out of the SMU negotations (i.e. raise and extension) so it was well played by his camp. However, with the kind of $$$ we are throwing out there we will net a quality coach. The 40M renovation to Moody and the 12M Crum Practice Center already on campus are two facilities upgrades that allow SMU to more than hold its own in the Big East. Tough luck on Buzz but this is a guy who turned down opportunities at A&M and OU. On to the next candidate now.

[UNTLifer]

I nominate Vic Trilli.

[CMJ]

So, SMU has apparently gone after Buzz Williams, Weber, Martin, Amaker, Groce, & Monson if internet rumors are to be believed. Wonder who they go after now.

[Censored by Laurie]

A swing and a miss with Buzz, but at least SMU is trying.

Darn...that fat, bald, over-sweater deserves a special place in Hell and coaching SMU basketball is about as close he could get here on Earth.

[NT03]

It's only a matter of time before they make a run @ JJ

[CMJ]

It's only a matter of time before they make a run @ JJ

I think if they get turned down by another coach or two, you may very well be correct. They obviously shot extremely high and are slowly, but surely finding out that no matter how much money you offer, some places are known as coaching black holes.

[EagleMBA]

After the trail of candidates that have passed, I would hope that JJ would tell them to roll up their currency, smear a little butter on it, and slip it into their posterior orifice.

[emmitt01]

I don't think JJ goes. How do you justify to yourself going from winning and pulling top DFW talent to losing and being told DISD kids won't wear a pink polo (regardless of Kanye's influence)?

HoopmanX in 5...4...3..2..1...

[Harry]

SMU search Update

SMU on Johnny Jones

[GrandGreen]

Kind of confusing, NT takes all the kids that can't get in anywhere else and is beyond easy, yet three players were academically ineligible. The days of SMU requiring better academic qualifications for their athletes than the norm have been long gone for a number of years. For a school that flaunts their academics, SMU sure has some stupid fans.

I think JJ is a long shot but the more they get turned down the better he must look to them. I don't think he has name enough for the ponies, however he would be gone in a flash with the kind of money they have been flashing.

[greenminer]

SMU search Update

SMU on Johnny Jones

Where does LA Mustang get the idea that JJ wants to be at SMU?

I saw Reggie Theus' name mentioned. That would be full circle in my world: he was at NMSU for a bit and Minerdome thought he was laughable.

[glick1980]

Kind of confusing, NT takes all the kids that can't get in anywhere else and is beyond easy, yet three players were academically ineligible. The days of SMU requiring better academic qualifications for their athletes than the norm have been long gone for a number of years. For a school that flaunts their academics, SMU sure has some stupid fans.

I think JJ is a long shot but the more they get turned down the better he must look to them. I don't think he has name enough for the ponies, however he would be gone in a flash with the kind of money they have been flashing.

SMU had two or three guys that were ineligble just the season before this one. Plus they suck at basketball, at least our flunkies can play ball.

[NT03]

And yet SMU has a kid on their roster who barely passed high school....

[NT03]

SMU currently in talks with another candidate. I have no idea who it is , but this one may accept. I expect we'll hear something within the next 48hrs

[Green P1]

I saw Reggie Theus' name mentioned. That would be full circle in my world: he was at NMSU for a bit and Minerdome thought he was laughable.

I fear Reggie Theus. If he can win with this rag tag bunch....

I mean... He did almost all his winning with just 5 kids on the roster! The Big East would be screwed.

Expert's quote on Reggie's outlook as an up-and-coming basketball coach:

"From Season One through Season Three, the head coach of the Deering Tornadoes was Reggie Theus. Yes, THE Reggie Theus. Former Sacramento Kings great. I know what you’re thinking. Most future NBA head coaches would build their résumés at the college level. Not Theus. He did it at a fictional Indiana high school. That’s ballsy."

Edited April 6, 2012 by Green P1

[Texas Stranger]

John Brady ?

Would make more sense for them than JJ with Brady's Final Four trip. They could play up that angle to try and save some face. And coaching in the Big East (even the ass-end of it) might attract Brady.

[NT03]

I think they end up w/ Larry Brown

[NT03]

Looks like next target is Ill State's Jankovich

[CMJ]

Looks like next target is Ill State's Jankovich

Until they figure out he used to coach here.

I actually saw it tweeted that they're after one of Indiana's assistants.

[NT03]

Rick Majerus, maybe ??

Edited April 11, 2012 by NT03

[UNT90]

Really good hire, if true.

Things just got tougher for recruiting around these parts.